Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates

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Emirati Hindus
Om symbol.svg
Total population
660,000 (2020); 7.5% of total population
Regions with significant populations
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah
Religions
Hinduism
Languages
Related ethnic groups
Emirati Sikhs and Indians in Emirates
Hinduism by country
Hinduism percent population in each nation World Map Hindu data by Pew Research.svg
World percentage Hindus by country
Africa
Asia
Caribbean
Europe
North America
Oceania
South America
Full list
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Hindus are a significant minority in the United Arab Emirates and there are more than 660,000 Hindus living in the United Arab Emirates as of 2020.[1] Hinduism is followed by migrant workers and employees working in the nation and officially there is no Hindu citizen in the UAE.[2]

Background[]

Islam is the official state religion of the United Arab Emirates[3] and as per the Emirati nationality law, only followers of Sunni Islam can become naturalized citizens of the UAE.[1] After the discovery of crude oil and large scale industrialization and urbanization in the UAE many workers and employees came to UAE for work and employment purpose in the nation.[4] Many South Asians immigrated there for work and employed and after 2000, Dubai became a global hotspot for mainly South Asians, many of them were Hindus.[5]

Demographics[]

Most of the Hindu diaspora in UAE are from Indian, especially from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab.[6] The other Hindus are from Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lankan and Bhutan.[7][8][9]

Temples[]

Despite a sizable of the population practicing the Hindu faith, there is currently just one Hindu temple in the two largest sheikhdoms. The Hindu Temple, Dubai (locally referred to as "Shiva and Krishna Mandir") has been pointed out as just a small prayer hall operating on the upper floor of a rented commercial building, with two altars.[10]

Permitted to be built in 1958, the small temple had become a foreign policy issue during the visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE in late 2016.[11]

Instead, Hindus living in Abu Dhabi and Dubai practice their religion within their homes. The first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is currently under construction.[12] The new temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Abu Dhabi, had its foundation stone laying ceremony in April 2019.[13][14]

There are two operating cremation facilities for the Hindu community, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai.[15]

See also[]

References[]

Citations[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "United Arab Emirates". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  2. ^ "UAE nationality - The Official Portal of the UAE Government". u.ae. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  3. ^ "United Arab Emirates". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  4. ^ Marsh 2015e, p. 67.
  5. ^ Marsh 2015e, p. 71.
  6. ^ Said, Luxrai27; October 29, on; Pm, 2015 at 6:18 (22 March 2009). "The Hindu Diaspora In The Middle East". Kashmir Blogs. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Centre's intervention sought to help Indians stranded in Nepal". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 28 April 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 July 2021.CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ^ "Did you know 250,000 Sri Lankans live in the UAE?". gulfnews.com. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Hindu temples in the UAE: A symbol of tolerance". Maktoob Yahoo. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  10. ^ "First Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi: 8 things you may want to know". Condé Nast Traveller India. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  11. ^ Chaudhury, Dipanjan Roy. "Hindu Temple in UAE: Talks on for PM Modi to open temple in UAE on April 20". The Economic Times. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  12. ^ Bhattacherjee, Kallol (6 February 2018). "PM to lay foundation stone of temple in UAE". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  13. ^ "First Hindu Mandir In Abu Dhabi, UAE, To Be Built By BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha". Indo American News. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  14. ^ Ahmad, Anwar f. "Video: First Hindu temple's foundation stone laying ceremony in Abu Dhabi". Gulf News. Dubai. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  15. ^ Kumar, Ashwani. "Look: Abu Dhabi Hindu temple rising 'at great pace'". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 24 May 2021.

General bibliography[]

External links[]

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